How to Watch Star Wars
What?? This should have an easy answer, right? Why would anyone have to ask what order to watch these movies? Don’t they already have an order since they have a storyline to each of the films that connect? Well, yes and no. There’s a lot of ways to watch the Star Wars Saga. With 11 movies, 3 trilogies, and 2 anthologies, there’s a lot to break down. Here are some of the best ways to watch Star Wars:
The OG Order: The Release Order
This one seems logical:
Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi (1983)
Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
Rogue One (2016)
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
Solo (2018)
Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
This is how a lot of the older fans experienced Star Wars, and it’s a great way to do it. You start with the cream of the crop: the originals that started it all. After finishing with the wonderful conclusion in Episode VI, you get to take a trip in the past and learn more about the infamous Darth Vader and how he turned evil. While these 3 prequel films had a shaky start, by Revenge of the Sith you’re completely invested in what I personally believe is one of the best films of the franchise. My only complaint with this order is that the transition between Revenge of the Sith and The Force Awakens, is a little awkward, because of the big time jump and how little those two films directly relate to each other. Additionally, having films like Rogue One and Solo thrown in between the newer sequel films is slightly confusing since it diverges from the main story. While it’s a great way that many first experienced the films, it’s not perfect.
The Timeline: Chronological Order
This one should be simple and a no brainer, right?
Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Solo (2018)
Rogue One (2016)
Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi (1983)
Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
In my opinion, this is a much better order than release order. Yes, while you’d be starting on one of the worst films of the franchise, it takes us through a story of generations over time, with the masterful story unraveling and unfolding before you as it happens in the film’s time as well. It moves forward with time as you do. However, I have problems with this one too. Firstly, it ruins one of the greatest cinematic plot twists of all time (that Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father) by starting with Darth Vader’s origin story, clearing telling audiences that he’s a skywalker. Additionally, you’re introduced to the anthology films like Solo and Rogue One before having any context as to what they’re relating to, since you don’t meet Han Solo or truly see the capacity of the Death Star until Episode 4. Otherwise, it’s a nice order for those who are rewatching to franchise, to truly see how the events played out over time.
Max’s Machete Order
This is my personal favorite. It’s wacky, but it makes sense...trust me.
Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
Rogue One (2016)
Solo (2018)
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi (1983)
Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
At a first glance, this order makes no sense. Why jump around the trilogies before finishing one of them? Why watch the anthologies in the middle of a trilogy? Here’s why this order works: 1). You start with the originals, as one should with Star Wars. You’re introduced to the iconic and beloved characters, and introduced to this wonderful world just like original fans were back in 1977. However, once you’d met the gang, you’d move onto Rogue One. This movie is all about explaining a minor yet substantially crucial plot point in the beginning of Episode 4, about how the Rebels got the Death Star plans. By watching this directly after Episode 4, it gives viewers a better understanding on what they just saw. Next up is Solo. Watching this one before Episode 5 creates a better experience because it gives viewers more to love about Han Solo before his epic and iconic hero moment as he is frozen in carbonite in Episode 5. Additionally, you get some backstory between him and Lando Calrissean, making their interactions in the next two films all more meaningful. But after Episode 5, that’s where things get weird. The movie ends with our heroes in shambles, with Luke having lost the battle and his hand to Darth Vader, Han Solo being frozen in carbonite, and the reveal of Darth Vader was Luke's father. It’s a troubling time for our heroes, but that huge reveal gives us a reason to travel back to the prequel trilogy. By watching those 3 films next, it gives viewers the backstory and motives behind Darth Vader’s turn to the dark side, and develops him as a character and as a villain. We understand him more, rather than just being a faceless villain with a menacing presence. And finally, once you finish the prequels, you return to Episode 6. Because it ends with an epic showdown between Darth Vader and Luke (father and son), having both of their character arcs and motives in mind makes for a much more powerful and emotional fight. And, by ending with Episode 6, it sets up perfectly the transition between that and Episode 7, which happens next after Episode 6.
I’d recommend my last viewing order to any first time viewers, or long time fans looking for a refreshing take on the Saga. Star Wars has had so many new additions since the original trilogy. Fans will always be looking for “the best order to watch Star Wars.” However, with the order I’ve described above, I truly think it’ll give both newcomers and loyal fans the best viewing experience you can get from these life changing movies.